Another Dutchman to replace Rob Baan?

Steve O'Connor's replacement at the AIS Dutchman Jan Versleijen is rumoured to have been given a contract worth between $300k & $350k a year; but has a get out clause after 6 months if the U20 Aust Team do not get through their World Cup qualifiers!

Great commitment!

Not sure what the AIS development program is supposed to do after 6 months (allows him to head back to UAE if he wants?). Nice contract if you can get it.

Oh and Rob Baan's replacement? You bet, he's Dutch.

Will it ever end? Should it ever end?

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Winning and Youth

"Make no misunderstanding winning is part of Youth Development," says Technical Director Rob Baan discussing the future Youth A-League on Total Football last night.

Craig Foster might not agree. But make no mistake about football is about winning:)

Just in case you'd forgot that in the "let's play beautiful at all times," sentiment flying around the airwaves.

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FFA’s Rob Baan checks out Canberra clubs.

FFA to study Capital Football’s Junior Initiatives

Report from Capital Football’s Chris Gottaas.

Junior football in the national capital will come under the microscope this weekend when FFA’s Community Football Program Manager, Matt Bulkeley and National Technical Director Robert Baan will be in town to conduct research on local initiatives introduced by Capital Football to increase junior participation and technical development.

Following a comprehensive report into player and technical development in 2004, small sided games were introduced across the nation’s capital for all junior participants under the age of 13.

In other parts of Australia, junior footballers aged ten years and above must play their football on full sized fields with 11-a-side.

The FFA representatives will be reviewing the initiatives with the plan to implement the technical strategy nation wide.

While in Canberra, Bulkeley and Baan along with Capital Football CEO Heather Reid and Alasdair Grocock, will visit local football clubs including Weston Creek at Warramanga, Woden Valley at Mawson and Majura in Dickson.

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Rob Baan happy with Olyroos win.

Coach Rob Baan had a tactical plan for the recent Olyroos game against Iran.

"We knew they wanted a draw, and they would sit and hit us on the break. So we practiced sending the ball wide, quick passes, quick switches and keeping the ball. The Iranian coach made a change early in the game because we were playing so well."

The Olyroos who had the exciting Mark Bridge sent off in the second half held on for a 3-1 win.

The Olyroos have one game left away to Jordan and providing they draw, which I reckon they will win, they then have more Olympic qualifiers to come later in the year.

Coach Baan steps down after the Olympic qualifiers with Baan hoping Graham Arnold will take over. John Kosmina, Lawrie McKinna and David Mitchell are all speculated to be in line for the Olyroos job.

Baan prefers a coach from Australia, "but if we have to go overseas we will, but I'd prefer a local coach.

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Rob Baan to step down

As was widely known Rob Baan confirmed today that he will step down as Olyroos coach irrespective of how results go in the next two games.

Baan told Football in the Capital, "I only took the Olyroos job to get to know the young players and the structure of Australian football. My technical report is now complete and will be released in June and then I will focus totally on the Technical Directors job,"

Okay Rob, you're stepping down, but make sure you get the win tonight against Iran in Adelaide.

Should Rob Baan step down from the Olyroos job? I say yes!

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Rob Baan on the upcoming Olyroos v Iran game

Technical Director and Olyroos coach Rob Baan was in Canberra recently for the Olyroos camp at the Australian Institute of Sport.

The three-day Olyroo camp was preparation for vital upcoming Olympic qualifier against Iran.

“It’s an important game for both teams. We must win. We hope to have a big crowd to cheer us on.” said Baan.

Baan will be missing three of his key defenders from the last game against Saudi Arabia. Melbourne Victory’s Adrian Leijer, Queensland Roars Ben Griffin and Sydney FC’s Ruben Zadkovich are all suspended.

He’s not concerned.

“We’re fine. Adrian Downes (Chesterfield FC), Neil Kilkenny (Birmingham City) are coming from overseas, and hopefully Mark Milligan will be fit. Matthew Spiranovic (FC Nurnberg) cannot come as his club is in the German Cup Final.”

“The last game against Saudi Arabia was disappointing. I told Adrian (Leijer) to be careful but he made the tackle which gave the penalty. This made the game very difficult. I felt we deserved a draw.”

“We have it to improvise all the time. Players from overseas can’t make it into camp. They need a week to fully recover from the flight but that is how it is for all Australian teams. We are not complaining. I would like Adelaide United to rest Burnsy (Nathan Burns) and Djitsy (Bruce Djite) from the Asian Champions League game, but the club don’t have so many players and they want to do well. So it is difficult but we’ll do our best.

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Match Report: Rob Baan 5 Eamonn Flanagan 0

Match Report: Rob Baan 5 Eamonn Flanagan 0 (that was just the first half)

Rob Baan has finished the Football Federation Australia’s technical report.

“I handed it to the FFA board and now we must wait.”

Why Rob? Why must we wait? Fozzie will want to know the details right now.

“Because the board have to look at it and see what can be done.”

Are there any positives in the report?

“Its all positive, very positive,” he laughs

Well any negatives with the current set-up?

“Well somethings need to be changed in the new set-up.”

Like what Rob?

He smiles.

“You’ll have to wait for the report.”

p.s. Dare you to tell Fozzie the technical report is finished.

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